Jo Ilsun, The researcher of Natural Dyeing & Maedeup (Decorative traditional Korean knots)
Jo Ilsun was born in Daegue, and went to Banwoldang, Daegu to learn Korean traditional knots. In 1954, she went Seoul, and practiced and researched Korean traditional knots for herself. Later she established the "Jo Suhyeong Korean Traditional Knot Research Institute" at Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul in 1977, and presented the results of her research.
However, she felt her limits, and so took some more classes at "Korea Traditional Knot Research Institute" established by the Important Intangible Cultural Properties No. 22, Maedeup (Decorative traditional Korean knots).
Afterwards, she never stopped researching Korean traditional knots, and developed new concerns about certain dyeing techniques. In 1983, she went to see Yun Byeongun, an expert on the traditional dyeing of natural indigo, and learned this skill. Legend has it that Jo Ilsun even travelled to Japan to obtain rare indigo seeds not found in Korea in order to create beautiful natural indigo.
Years later, she established her studio (35-167 Samcheong-dong) in Samcheong-dong. There she makes people aware of Korean traditional knots and dyeing. Even later on, her son established the "Haneul Mulbit - Korean Traditional Natural Dyeing Research Institute (http://www.macart.co.kr)," and took over the family business of promoting Korean traditional knots and dyeing.
■ Haneul Mulbit: 35-167 Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
■ Tel: 02-739-6532
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